FIRST Take visitor Chris ‘Mad Dog’ Russo began the ESPN present on Tuesday by mocking Stephen A. Smith’s absence.
Smith has been out of the ESPN studios all week, taking a well-earned break, and Russo teased him by sitting in his chair to kick off the present.
While Smith hasn’t but disclosed precisely the place he’s lounging, however he admitted to being on trip in a particular episode of his podcast on Monday.
“I do know it is a Monday and normally it is not a particular version trigger I’m coming at you thrice per week over the digital airwaves of YouTube every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday on the very least.”
“But d**n it, I’m on trip!” he said.
On Wednesday, Russo,64, impersonated Smith’s trademark opening in his absence by operating over to his seat and dusting it earlier than sitting down.
“Now we do our sports activities speak program!” Russo satirized.
“First Take is in the home.”
First Take Host Molly Qerim shortly jumped in and instructed Russo, “You’re nuts,” earlier than transitioning to the present’s opening matter.
Russo and former NBA player-turned-analyst Tim Legler had been alongside Molly for the present’s first debate.
Kicking off the published, cohost Molly welcomed their viewers earlier than a fast shoutout to her lacking colleague by calling out Russo for sitting in Smith’s seat.
“What’s occurring, everybody? Welcome to First Take…A Mad Dog Wednesday and Steven A’s chair. Does he find out about this?” Qerim requested.
Russo fired again, “he isn’t right here. He’s not coming in.”
Molly was surprised and responded with a number of “wows” earlier than telling him to arrange for the present.
“We obtained a full crew immediately. You higher prepare.”
“It’s you in opposition to the world… Can you deal with all these voices?” Qerim stated after naming off the present’s scheduled visitor listing.
With Smith out and the NBA and March Madness in full impact, the present had on Legler, NBA insider Brian Windhorst, Kimberly A Martin, Ex NFL stars Ryan Clark, Dan Orlovsky, NCAA analyst Seth Greenberg, and longtime MLB reporter Tim Kurkjian.
First Take airs each weekday from 10 am ET to noon.
